10 Effective Ways to Whiten Your Nails Naturally: An Expert-Backed Guide

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Lighten your fingernails and toenails (+ prevent future discoloration)

Co-authored by Marta Nagorska and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: July 25, 2024 Fact Checked

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10 Quick Ways to Lighten Your Nails

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Bleaching Your Nails to Remove Tough Stains

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Preventing Your Nails From Turning Yellow

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Expert Q&A

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Warnings

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Nail discoloration can be caused by certain polishes, fungal infections, and lifestyle factors, but luckily, there are several ways to lighten your nails and have them looking healthy again. In this article, we’ll teach you how to whiten your nails at home, plus treat stains and discoloration. We also talked to nail artist Marta Nagorska for tips on how to prevent yellowing so you can get the perfect mani or pedi!

The Best Way to Make Your Nails Whiter

Combine 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice with 2 tbsp (30 mL) baking soda to make a paste, then gently scrub your nails with a toothbrush and rinse with water after 10 minutes. To remove tough stains, stir 4–5 tbsp (59–74 mL) hydrogen peroxide into 1⁄2 c (120 mL) water, then soak your nails in the solution for 15 minutes.

Section 1 of 3:

10 Quick Ways to Lighten Your Nails

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1
Apply a whitening toothpaste to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes. Coat your nails with the toothpaste and set a timer for 10 minutes. Use a nail brush or an old toothbrush to gently scrub the toothpaste into your nails for 1-2 minutes—according to Nagorska, this type of “gentle buffing may help remove stains.” ^{[1]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.} When the time is up, rinse your hands in warm water until all the toothpaste is removed. ^{[2]
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- It’s best to use a whitening toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
- You may achieve white nails after a single treatment. If not, you can repeat this treatment once or twice a week until your nails are totally white.
2
Make a baking soda paste and let it sit on your nails for 10 minutes. Mix equal parts of baking soda and warm water to create a paste. Dip a nail brush or toothbrush into the paste and scrub it onto your fingernails. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes to whiten your nails, then rinse off with warm water and mild soap. ^{[3]
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- If the paste looks too runny or doesn’t stay on your nails, add more baking soda to thicken it.
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3
Scrub baking soda and lemon juice onto your nails and wait 10 minutes. Mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of lemon juice with 2 tbsp (30 mL) of baking soda to create a paste. Apply the paste to the top of your nails and underneath the tips using a cotton swab. Let the paste sit on your nails for 10 minutes, then wash your hands with soap and warm water. ^{[4]
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- Lemon juice will sting, so keep it away from any cuts, tears, or hangnails.
Variation: You can replace the lemon juice with hydrogen peroxide. Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a paste, then let it sit on your nails for 10 minutes.
4
Apply tea tree oil to your nails and let it sit for 10 minutes. Mix 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of coconut or olive oil, then apply it directly to your nail bed. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then gently scrub your nails with a clean toothbrush. Repeat this process 2-3 times a day for the best results. ^{[5]
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- If you don’t have tea tree oil, you can use lemon or grapefruit essential oils . ^{[6]
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Combine 0.5 cup (136 g) of baking soda, 0.5 cup (136 g) of Epsom salt , 0.25 cups (59 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and 4 cups (950 mL) of hot water in a glass bowl. Mix those ingredients together, then add 0.25 cups (59 mL) of white vinegar and soak your nails in the solution for 10 minutes. Rinse your nails with clean water and apply hand cream. ^{[7]
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6
Color under the tips of your nails with a whitening nail pencil. A whitening pencil hides nail discoloration and offers a fast, temporary solution. To use the pencil, moisten the tip to help it glide easier, then color underneath the tips of each nail. Reapply the pencil as necessary to keep your nails looking white. ^{[8]
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- You may need to reapply the pencil after each time you wash your hands.
If you have minor stains or discoloration, apply a coat of nail color corrector to conceal any imperfections and protect your nails from damage. Nagorska says there are “many nail polish brighteners that have a specific tint to counteract yellowing.” ^{[9]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.}

Section 2 of 3:

Bleaching Your Nails to Remove Tough Stains

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1
Add hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, lemon juice, or denture cleaner to a bowl. There are several household products that you can use to safely whiten your nails. Choose whichever of the below options that works best for you, then add the solution to a clean glass bowl: ^{[10]
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- Stir 4 to 5 US tbsp (59 to 74 mL) of hydrogen peroxide into 0.5 cups (120 mL) of water. ^{[11]
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- Squeeze the juice from 2 lemons into a bowl.
- Drop a denture cleaning tablet into a cup of warm water for soaking.
- Combine 4 to 5 US tbsp (59 to 74 mL) of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup (240 mL) of water.
2
Soak your nails for up to 15 minutes to bleach them. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Then, dip your fingers or toes into the bowl until they’re completely submerged. Relax as your nails soak in the whitening solution. ^{[12]
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- If your fingers start to burn, remove them immediately and wash your hands with warm water and soap.
3
Rinse your nails off in warm water to remove the solution. After soaking your nails, wash your hands with mild soap and warm water. Check your nails to see if they look white, and repeat the treatment every day until your nails are as light as you want. ^{[13]
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- If you’re not happy with the results, you can try another whitening treatment. However, it’s best to wait at least a day before you do so since your skin might get irritated.
- Apply a hand cream after this treatment to add moisture back to your skin. If you’re soaking your nails for more than 3 days, apply sweet almond or coconut oil on your cuticles.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Keep Your Nails From Turning Yellow

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1
Wipe your nails down with nail polish remover for polish stains. Soak a cotton swab in nail polish remover, then hold it against your nail for 1-3 seconds. Wipe the cotton swab across your nail to remove any stains, and repeat this process until your nails are completely clean. ^{[14]
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- Acetone nail polish remover can enhance yellow, discolored nails, so stick to an acetone-free remover.
2
Use a base coat when painting your nails to prevent yellowing. Nail polish is a common cause of nail discoloration, but applying a base coat can protect your nails. According to Nagorska, you should “use a base coat every time you paint your nails.” ^{[15]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.}
- You can use any clear base coat, but choose one with a slight purple tint if you have severe yellowing.
3
Choose lighter colors of nail polish instead of darker shades. The pigments in dark nail polish can soak into your nails and stain them. While this can also happen with lighter colors, they’re less likely to discolor your nails. If you paint your nails frequently, try to choose lighter colors over darker ones. ^{[16]
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- For example, a pale pink shade is less likely to stain than a dark fuchsia color.
Nail polish absorbs moisture from your nails, which can make them dry, brittle, and more prone to discoloration. Give your nails a break from time to time, and use a strengthening polish to add nutrients back into your nails. ^{[17]
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5
Regularly maintain and care for your nail health. To keep your nails bright and strong, Nagorska recommends “applying cuticle oil to nourish the nail and replenish the oils lost when washing your hands.” ^{[18]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.} She also advises “cleaning the underside of your nails with a wet wipe wrapped around a manicure stick or eyelash spoolie" to remove any dirt or bacteria. ^{[19]
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Expert Source

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2021.} Other habits to maintain healthy nails include:
- Wearing gloves when doing household chores.
- Exfoliating your nails and nail beds with an old toothbrush to remove dead skin cells.
- Soaking your hands in warm water to soften your cuticles before pushing them back gently with a cuticle stick .
- Avoiding using your nails to open and pry objects. ^{[20]
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- Quitting smoking to prevent nail discoloration.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What if no whitening treatments seem to work?

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.

Marta Nagorska

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Ask your doctor to take a look. In some cases, yellow nails may be a sign of a nail condition.

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Question

What brightening products can I try?

Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist
Marta Nagorska is a Nail Technician and Nail Art Blogger based in London, UK. She runs the blog, Furious Filer, where she gives tutorials on nail care and advanced nail art. She has been practicing nail art for over 5 years and graduated from Northampton College with distinction with a Nail Technician and Manicurist degree in 2017. She has been awarded the top spot in the OPI Nail Art Competition.

Marta Nagorska

Nail Artist

Expert Answer

Try a nail polish brightener or whitener. These products are usually a clear nail polish with a specific tint that counteracts the yellow tinge.

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Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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Warnings

Buffing can help remove stains, but it also weakens your nails. To avoid over-buffing, stick to about 6 strokes per nail. ^{[21]
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See your doctor if the discoloration worsens or your nails change, swell, or cause pain. These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition. ^{[22]
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American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
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Marta Nagorska
Nail Artist

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10 Effective Ways to Whiten Your Nails Naturally: An Expert-Backed Guide

The Best Way to Make Your Nails Whiter

Steps

10 Quick Ways to Lighten Your Nails

Bleaching Your Nails to Remove Tough Stains

How to Keep Your Nails From Turning Yellow

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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